Man arrested as people smuggling ring smashed

A MAN from Stockport has been arrested as part of a huge investigation into people smuggling. The 24-year-old, from Edgeley, was one of five men arrested in the UK by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) after a probe into an international crime network suspected of trafficking thousands of illegal immigrants into Europe.

A MAN from Stockport has been arrested as part of a huge investigation into people smuggling.

The 24-year-old, from Edgeley, was one of five men arrested in the UK by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) after a probe into an international crime network suspected of trafficking thousands of illegal immigrants into Europe.

He was due to appear at City of Westminster Extradition court tomorrow.

In other simultaneous raids, 13 suspects were arrested in France, two in Greece, two in Holland, and one in Italy.

A number of illegal immigrants were also detained - including six in the UK. Iraqi Kurdish and Afghan people smugglers were the focus of the investigation, which was led by the French Central Office for the Repression of Illegal Immigration and Employment of Foreigners without Residence Permits (OCRIEST).

It was supported by numerous law enforcement agencies.

The criminal network is believed to have smuggled around 2,000 illegal immigrants, mainly from Iraq and Afghanistan, into and through Europe to a number of destinations including the UK.

Intelligence

After gathering intelligence and conducting surveillance on the UK suspects, SOCA executed five European Arrest Warrants on behalf of the OCRIEST.

The others arrested were a 40-year-old from Birmingham, a 21-year-old from Gloucester, a 29-year-old Leeds, and a 38-year-old from Glasgow.

Officers from the UK Border Agency and local police forces were also involved in the raids and are continuing to assist SOCA.

Searches are underway at the addresses to obtain evidence in support of the investigation.

So far £14,000 in cash has been seized along with identity documents, sim cards and mobile phones.

SOCA Deputy Director Mark Phillips said: "This is a cynical, sordid crime which treats people as commodities to be exploited for profit. The harm it causes affects individuals, communities and the UK as a whole.

Criminal network

"We believe this criminal network was charging up to 4,000 Euros for a door-to-door service. The message today is clear - the UK is part of a global law enforcement family which will not tolerate people smuggling. Working with our national and international partners, SOCA will find you and we will stop you."

UK Border Agency Director of International Liaison and Intelligence, Tony Walker, said: "People smuggling is a heinous crime, preying on the vulnerable and making money from the misery of others.

"The message is clear that the only way to live and work in the UK is by legal routes. Last year UK Border Agency staff stopped more than 28,000 attempts to cross the Channel illegally. "We want to protect vulnerable individuals from people traffickers while striking at the heart of smuggling rings. Today's raids and arrests demonstrate that co-ordinated European-wide operations are underway to destroy organised trafficking gangs and prosecute smugglers."